insignia

[ in-sig-nee-uh ]

See synonyms for insignia on Thesaurus.com

noun,formally a plural of insigne, but usually used as a singular with plural in·sig·ni·a or in·sig·ni·as.

a badge or distinguishing mark of office or honor: a military insignia.
a distinguishing mark or sign of anything: an insignia of mourning.

Origin of insignia

1640–50; <Latin, plural of insigne mark, badge, noun use of neuter of insignis distinguished (by a mark); see in-², sign

Also insigne.

usage note For insignia

Insignia, originally the plural of Latin insigne, began to be used as a singular in the 18th century, and the plural insignias appeared shortly thereafter. All uses— insignia as a singular or plural and insignias as a plural—are fully standard. The singular insigne still occurs, but insignia is more common.

Words Nearby insignia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use insignia in a sentence

His shoulder insignia showed four stars instead of the marshal’s star.
New Kim Jong Un Purge Suggests North Korea Is in Deep Shit | Donald Kirk | July 9, 2021 | The Daily Beast
They were elegant Navy artillery pieces, with an anchor insignia likely stamped on the barrel.
Civil War cannons that may have been at Battle of Bull Run get new home | Michael Ruane | June 16, 2021 | Washington Post
They are accused of forcing entry through the Capitol’s East Rotunda doors after marching single-file up the steps wearing camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection and Oath Keepers insignia.
Four more indicted in alleged Jan. 6 Oath Keepers conspiracy to obstruct election vote in Congress | Spencer Hsu | May 30, 2021 | Washington Post
Police said that during his arrest they found in his bag two high-capacity ammunition magazines, which are illegal to possesses in the District, adorned with Proud Boys insignia.
Proud Boys leader barred from District by judge following his arrest | Peter Hermann, Keith L. Alexander | January 6, 2021 | Washington Post
When I earned my submarine warfare qualification, the Captain pinned the gold dolphins insignia on my uniform and gave me the proverbial keys to the $4 billion warship.
How a Nuclear Submarine Officer Learned to Live in Tight Quarters - Issue 94: Evolving | Steve Weiner | December 30, 2020 | Nautilus

“We faced these issues of combatants without insignia in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.
Shocked by Ukraine Violence, NATO Prepares to Face Down Putin | Leo Cendrowicz | October 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
U.S. defense officials told The Daily Beast the photos of the Russian insignia first shared on blogs were legitimate.
Syrian Rebels Seize Russian Spy Station Near Israeli Border | Josh Rogin, Eli Lake | October 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A fourth soldier was too far away for his insignia to be seen.
Pro-Russian Rebels Brag Kiev Is Next | Ted Phillips | September 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Pat Roberts' car bears the insignia of a Chrysler dealership in Maryland.
There's No Place Like Home For Kansas Senator Pat Roberts | Ben Jacobs | May 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Subject has military bearing, short haircut, brought a military uniform or wears the Cossack chevron insignia.
Russia Tells ‘Tourists’ How to Go Fight in Ukraine | Oleg Shynkarenko | April 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It came from our ancestors, the Gauls, and has remained the insignia of our national character.
Maupassant Original Short Stories (180), Complete | Guy de Maupassant
They are designed into pins and certain insignia, and used in a hundred other ways.
As A Chinaman Saw Us | Anonymous
The leader wore a button, the insignia of non-commissioned rank.
The Escape of a Princess Pat | George Pearson
Ankova did not ask their mission for he saw that they wore the insignia that meant loyalty to the man from the Fourth World.
The Revolt of the Star Men | Raymond Gallun
Prisca omnium familiarum Scaliger stirpis insignia sunt, aut Scala singularis, aut Canes utrinque scal innitentes.
Notes and Queries, Number 69, February 22, 1851 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for insignia

insignia

/ (ɪnˈsɪɡnɪə) /

nounplural -nias or -nia

a badge or emblem of membership, office, or dignity
a distinguishing sign or mark

Origin of insignia

C17: from Latin: marks, badges, from insignis distinguished by a mark, prominent, from in- ² + signum mark

Also called (rare): insigne (ɪnˈsɪɡniː)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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